Miami XC Shines at WA Invitational

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Cross country season is back and the University of Miami cross country program opened its 2013 season with a strong showing at the Westminster Academy Collegiate Invitational.

Miami overcame the wet conditions to finish second as a team in both the men’s and women’s races.

“This is a good test to see where we are at for the start of the season,” Miami distance coach Damon Griffiths said. “The course is one of toughest in the area and got harder after the downpour of rain.”

Senior JaCee Jarnagin paced the men’s team, placing second in the 5k with a time of 15:45.45. Seniors Sean Pezzulo and Luke Fontaine finished shortly after their teammate, with Pezzulo taking fifth place (15:53.79) and Fontaine crossing the finish line in 15:59.57 to place sixth.

“The men had a strong pack of JaCee, Sean and Luke up front, but we need improvement from the other runners,” Griffiths said.

Lindsi Arrington was Miami’s top finisher in the women’s 3500m race. The senior placed second with a time of 13:14.28. Senior Brooke Dovell also started the season with a Top 10 finish, placing seventh with a time of 13:46.94.

“I saw some good things, as well as things that we must improve on,” Griffiths said.

The Hurricanes will be train this week in preparation for the UF Mountain Dew Invitational scheduled for Sept. 14 in Gainesville, Fla.

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